MILFORD — It is not an April Fool’s Day joke. The first Golden Corral in the state officially opened its doors on Saturday.

Lines were out the door as people were eager to try the buffet and grill restaurant located at 74 Turnpike Square — just a stone’s throw away from the Connecticut Post Mall.

“We were going to the mall and we were looking for some place to eat,” Oakville resident Mike LaMountain said. “I thought they were still building actually. When we came by, we actually saw.”

Many people waited through the hustle and bustle of the crowds for an opportunity to be one of the first to enjoy the assortment of entrees, lunches, and desserts that Golden Corral has become synonymous with.

Although the droves of people continued to come into the restaurant, owner and Milford resident Ric Rozier said his staff is ready and prepared for the large crowds that are expected over the next several months.

“We want more,” he said. “We’re more than equipped.”

While the crowds continued to grow on the inside, the building will be doing the same in the coming weeks, Rozier said.

The capacity of Golden Corral will expand from 298 to 400 after a secondary room is set up to house larger parties and groups.

After some confusion on the exact day of the official opening — following reports from the Golden Corral Corporation — the business was able to get up and running once some final city permits were finalized, Rozier said.

Although it was only the first day of business, the company is in a “growing mode,” and will continue to cater to the high volume of people that are expected to come through the doors everyday, Rozier said.

“(People) crave the menu, the experience and the atmosphere,” he said.